Golf tee with shape memory metal and method to produce the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a golf tee comprised of two sections, a shape memory metal that connects the said two sections and a resilient protective outer shell for a golf tee that lessens impact and improves performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a golf tee having a flexible midsection made of a superelastic shape memory metal such as Nitinol, a nikel-titanium alloy. This metal can acquire a predetermined shape through thermal conditioning. The ability for this special class of metal to return to its original shape after being bent out of shape made it possible for it to be successfully used in many applications. In this case, when an impact is applied to the golf tee, the force is deflected away from the tee. The golf tee returns to its original position after the impact.

2. Description of the Related Art

Golf tee is an important accessory of a golf game. Golf tee positions the golf ball in an elevated position for the golf club to hit. When the golf club hits the tee, the tee is often lost or broken. Many patents were disclosed to overcome these shortcomings. U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,470 disclosed a spring loaded golf tee. U.S. Pat. No. 2,839,304 disclosed a deflectable tee. U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,313 disclosed a vented tee. U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,170 disclosed a flexible tee with a sliding tee top. U.S. Pat. No. 2,531,470 disclosed a tee with a flexible body. This invention improves deflection characteristic of the prior patents by utilizing a shape memory metal as a mean to relieve impact energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished to provide a golf tee to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks.

It is one object of this invention to provide a golf tee that is flexible to deflect impact energy and be able to return to its original shape.

It is another object of this invention to provide a golf tee having a pre programmed shape.

It is another object of this invention to provide a golf tee that is not easily lost or break.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method for its construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be explained by the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the golf tee assembly consists of a lower section 1, an upper section 2, a flexible connection mean 4 and a protective outer shell 3.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the golf tee assembly consists of a lower section 1, an upper section 2, and a flexible connection mean 4.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the flexible connection mean 4 with retaining features 7.

FIG. 4 is an isometric sectional view of the protective outer shell 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of this invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a main tee body has two sections: the lower section 1 having a pointed end for ground penetration and an upper section 2. A plurality of indications 5 for ground depth penetration is shown on the outside of tee section 1. A recess 6 is shown on top tee section 2 for positioning a golf ball. Both tee sections: 1 and 2 is connected by a flexible connection mean 4. The said flexible connection mean 4 is made of a superelastic shape memory metal. The shape the flexible connection mean can be set to any shape by a memory setting process. Once the shape memory is set, the said flexible connection mean will retain its preset shape after being deflected. The said flexible connection mean 4 and the upper section 2 is covered with a resilient protective outer shell 3 to protect the golf club from damage and to allow the flexible connection mean 4 to deflect. Both tee sections 1 and 2 can be made of polymeric material such as polycarbonate, nylon, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or other suitable polymer by injection molding. During injection molding, the flexible connection mean 4 is placed in the mold such that both the tee sections can be molded around the flexible connection mean 4 to encapsulate the ends of said flexible connection mean 4 within tee sections 1 and 2. After the ends of the flexible connection mean 4 are molded within tee section 1 and 2, the outer protective shell 3 can be molded directly around tee section 2 and the exposed section of the flexible connection mean 4. The outer protective shell 3 can be made from a resilient polymer such as polyethylene, polyurethane and the like.

FIG. 2 shows the preferred embodiment of this invention without the protective outer shell 3. A through hole 8 is shown in tee section 2. The said through hole 8 allows plastic to flow from one side of the protective outer shell 3 to the opposite side, locking the protective outer shell 3 within tee section 2.

FIG. 3 shows the flexible connection mean 4 in a form of a cylindrical shaft having retaining feature in form of a plurality of grooves 7, at each end of the shaft.

FIG. 4 shows the sectional view of the protective outer shell 3 having a cavity 10 to receive the flexible connection mean 4, cavity 11 to receive tee section 2 and a cross member 12 which is formed within the cross through hole 8 in tee section 2.

Although the preferred embodiment has been described herein in detail, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various embodiments may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A multi-section golf tee comprising: a cylindrical shape lower section with a pointed end for ground penetration, a flexible connection mean, an upper section for capturing said flexible connection mean, a protective outer shell; said lower section is connected to a one end of said flexible connection mean through a retaining feature, the second end of said flexible connection mean is connected to said upper section through a retaining feature, said outer protective shell partially encapsulates side surfaces of said upper section such that said upper section is shielded from a golf club strike, said outer protective shell having a unitary structure wherein said outer protective shell partially encapsulates said upper section forming a binding structure between the inner surface of said protective shell and outer surface of said upper section such that no relative movement between said protective outer shell and said upper section is possible.
 2. A golf tee as claimed in claim 1, said protective outer shell interlocks with said upper section via a through hole within said upper section to form an interlocking cross member which has the shape defined by the inside surface of said through hole in said upper section, wherein said cross member is perpendicular to the axial direction defined by the centerline of said flexible connection mean, wherein said outer protective shell is prevented from moving in the axial direction defined by the centerline of said flexible connection mean, said protective shell partially encapsulates said flexible connection mean which is encapsulated by said upper section.
 3. A golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said flexible connection mean is constructed from a superelastic shape memory metal.
 4. A golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower and upper sections are constructed from a rigid polymer by injection molding.
 5. A golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protective outer shell is constructed from a soft resilient polymer by injection molding over said upper section and said flexible connection mean.
 6. A golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible connection mean can be set to any suitable shape through a shape memory setting process.
 7. A golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower section has a plurality of indication for ground depth penetration.
 8. A golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper section further comprises of a recess surface for positioning a golf ball.
 9. A golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer protective shell fully encapsulates said upper section.
 10. A golf tee as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer protective shell having a unitary structure further comprising a cylindrical section and a taper section.
 11. A golf tee as claimed in claim 3, wherein said flexible connection mean consists of one single straight wire made of a superelastic shape memory metal. 